Light, Melatonin, and Circadian Signaling

You’re about to hear one of the most honest longevity conversations ever recorded. This co hosted episode brings together two longevity leaders with opposing views on how long humans can live, yet enormous respect for each other and the science. Recorded live at Eudemonia, this discussion gives you clear frameworks for longevity, biohacking, human performance, and anti aging without all the tribal thinking that can plague modern health conversations!  

Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: 

https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR 

Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dan Buettner for a rare co hosted podcast that explores where biohacking and Blue Zones philosophy clash and where they surprisingly align. Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Explorer, Emmy Award winning producer, and five time New York Times bestselling author. He is best known for identifying the Blue Zones, regions of the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives. His research has reshaped cities, healthcare systems, and insurance models across the United States, improving health outcomes for more than 10 million Americans. His Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones earned six Emmy nominations and won three. Dan is also an accomplished endurance athlete with three Guinness World Records in distance cycling. 

Together, Dave and Dan debate the true limits of human lifespan, whether longevity is driven more by environment or intervention, and how modern tools like AI, functional medicine, supplements, fasting, ketosis, and sleep optimization compare to walkable communities, movement, and purpose. They explore mitochondria, neuroplasticity, metabolism, brain optimization, and why Smarter Not Harder applies whether you follow a carnivore leaning diet, a bean based diet, or something in between. This episode gives you both sides of the longevity argument and lets you decide what fits your biology, values, and goals. 

You’ll Learn: 

• Why Dan believes average human lifespan likely tops out in the mid 90s and how Blue Zones support longevity without chronic disease 

• Why Host Dave Asprey believes biohacking, AI, and modern science could push longevity toward 150, 180, or beyond 

• How environmental design hacks unconscious behavior more effectively than willpower 

• The overlooked role of light, darkness, and circadian rhythm in sleep optimization and human performance 

• How fasting and ketosis support longevity when used strategically instead of obsessively 

• Why mitochondria signaling may matter more than fixing every cell individually 

• How neuroplasticity and brain optimization influence aging and resilience 

• Where supplements and nootropics help and where simplicity wins 

• The real debate around carnivore diets, carbs, beans, metabolism, and longevity 

• Why community, purpose, and movement remain foundational even in advanced biohacking 

• How Danger Coffee fits into energy, focus, and Smarter Not Harder performance strategies 

Dave Asprey is a four time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. 

Episodes are released every Tuesday and Thursday, where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. 

Thank you to our sponsors! 

- BodyGuardz | Visit https://www.bodyguardz.com/ and use code DAVE for 25% off. 

- MASA Chips | Go to https://www.masachips.com/DAVEASPREY and use code DAVEASPREY for 25% off your first order. 

- Puori | Use code DAVE at http://puori.com/DAVE to get 32% off your Puori Fish Oil when you start a subscription. You save more than $18. 

- BrainTap | Go to http://braintap.com/dave to get $100 off the BrainTap Power Bundle. 

Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.  

New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. 

Keywords: longevity debate, biohacking vs blue zones, dave asprey dan buettner, human lifespan limits, how long can humans live, anti aging science, blue zones longevity, environment vs intervention longevity, human performance optimization, mitochondria signaling, aging clocks epigenetics, neuroplasticity aging, brain optimization longevity, sleep optimization circadian rhythm, fasting longevity science, intermittent fasting longevity, ketosis metabolism aging, AI longevity tools, AI exercise training, VO2 max lifespan, metabolism optimization, supplements longevity, nootropics brain health, carnivore diet longevity, beans vs meat longevity, protein mTOR aging, functional medicine longevity, community purpose lifespan, movement vs exercise longevity, light exposure circadian health, darkness sleep longevity, daveasprey biohacking, dan buettner blue zones, smarter not harder longevity, danger coffee performance  

Resources:   

• Dan's new podcast: https://danbuettner.com/podcast/ 

• Dan’s website: https://danbuettner.com/ 

• Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today.  

• Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15   

• My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off)   

• Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off)   

• Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com   

• Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated  

• Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com   

• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com   

• 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com  

Timestamps: 

0:00 – Trailer 

2:50 – Introduction to Dan Buettner 

4:59 – Light & Circadian Biology 

7:21 – Aging Science & Interventions 

13:18 – Community & Social Connection 

15:16 – Biohacking Basics 

19:04 – Movement & Exercise 

21:20 – Diet & Nutrition Philosophy 

31:06 – Dave’s Daily Diet 

33:49 – Salt & Hydration 

41:07 – Marketing & Building Bulletproof 

49:10 – Rapid Fire Round 

55:00 – Closing Thoughts 

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